Blain wins wet and wild Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic 2012 photo gallery by Andy Jones>>
Alexandre Blain (Endura) won the eighth edition of the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic on Sunday, almost two minutes ahead of Jamie Sparling (Team Raleigh-GAC) and James McCallum (Rapha-Condor-Sharp).
Attacking out of a whittled-down group of six riders with 30 kilometres to go, he crossed the finish line solo in Melton Mowbray, brandishing his bike like a trophy after crossing the line, like a mountain-biker.
It was a fitting celebration given the foul conditions. The race was held in a constant downpour, turning the lanes of Rutland into muddy rivulets.
Endura put five men in the initial, decisive 23-man split that formed on the opening, windswept lap of Rutland Water.
While the group chopped and changed composition as the race progressed, Blain broke clear of his companions on the Somerberg, and extended his lead.
"I'm very happy," Blain said. "I was so motivated, which is important in such bad weather."
This is Endura's tenth UCI win of the year, continuing their impressive spring. Former mountain biker Blain himself won the Tour of the Dengie Marshes four weeks ago in abjectly different conditions.
The challenging conditions, distance and competitive time cut-offs led to a high rate of attrition. Only 24 of the 155 starters finished the race.
Britain's only UCI-registered one-day race also had to be shortened from a planned 113 miles route to roughly 100, as the last lap of the A606 was taken out due to worsening conditions.
Behind Blain, Canadian rider Sparling (Raleigh-GAC) took second place, after breakaway companion James McCallum punctured in the closing kilometres.
For news and a full report from the Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic, see the May 3 edition of Cycling Weekly.
Results
8th Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic, 183 kilometres
1. Alexandre Blain (Fra) Endura 4-36-33
2. Jamie Sparling (Can) Raleigh-GAC at 1-59
3. James McCallum (Gbr) Rapha-Condor-Sharp at 2-02
4. Tobias Erler (Aut) Arbo-Gebruder Weiss at 2-39
5. Yanto Barker (Gbr) Team UK Youth at 2-57
6. Pete Williams (Gbr) Node 4 - Giordana at 4-40
7. Wouter Sybrandy (Ned) IG-Sigma Sport at 5-30
8. Iker Camano (Spa) Endura Racing
9. Stephen Adams (Gbr) Cycle Premier-Kovert at 7-19
10. Rob Smail (Gbr) Team Wallis Cycles
King of the Hills: Jamie Sparling (Can) Raleigh-GAC
Related links
Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic 2012 photo gallery
Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic 2012: The Big Preview
Blain wins Maldon Dengie Tour
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
-
Here’s why cycling workouts with short recoveries are so effective - like this 30s on, 30s off session
Do this workout if you want to improve your ability to do short, sharp, repeated efforts with limited rest
By Andy Turner Published
-
CW Asks: Does e-bike racing have a place at the most competitive end of our sport?
Our editors reflect on the future of road cycling and the use of electric bikes in competition
By Anne-Marije Rook Published